Chapter 3: Through the Woods
The sound of gunshots and explosions rang throughout the Emerald Forest. A small portion of the forest was ablaze in flames. Ryu and Caesar fought a fierce battle as hordes of grimm charged towards them. The two stood back to back. Caesar breathed heavy.
"These guys just keep," he observed.
"Well you know what they say the more the merrier," Ryu remarked.
"Tch," Caesar expressed.
A large beowolf charged at Ryu. It slashed at him. He reacted by blocking the strike and using his free hand to draw his sword to cleave the beowolf in haft. An average sized ursa charged at Caesar. Caesar's left arm change into a gun and he unloaded a multied of fire dust rounds into the ursa. As it got closer Caesar's arm changed again this time into a mini-cannon. He unloads two rounds at the ursa killing it. An audible screech could be heard over head. A large nevermore could be seen overhead as it began to circle them.
"Looks like more of them wanna join in on the fun," Ryu stated.
"You and I have very different definitions of fun," Caesar remarked.
Two more large nevermores could be seen as they began to circle the duo.
"Well aren't we just popular?" Ryu remarked as he cut down an ursa.
"Hey Ryu I gotta plan," Caesar stated as he cut down a small beowolf.
"What is it?" Ryu asked.
"I'll take out the nevermores with my arm in cannon stance," Caesar began to explain. "You focus on keeping the grimm on the ground off of me."
"Sounds good to me," Ryu affirmed. "Let's do it!"
Caesar's arm again transformed into a mini-cannon. He took aim one of the nevermores. He let loose several rounds onto the nevermore. A multitude of them made contact with their intended target bring it down temporarily. He reach behind him to grab ammo to reload. As he did this an ursa charged him. Ryu quickly responded and intercepted the ursa cutting it down with a few swift slashes. Three beowolves charged forward on to Caesar only to be cut down by Ryu. Caesar finished reloading. He again let loose another volley of rounds onto another nevermore bring it down. He again had reload. More grimm continue to charge at the duo only to be cut down by Ryu. After Caesar finished reloading he released another volley of rounds taking down the last nevermore for now.
"That should buy us some time," Caesar pointed out.
"Let's finish off the rest of these then," Ryu stated.
"Right," Caesar affirmed.
The two fought off the remaining grimm cutting down them down. Caesar sat down and breathed heavily after the fighting. Ryu absorbed the flames around them. Ryu looked at Caesar.
"Don't tell me your tired already," he stated.
"I don't have the same kind of endurance you do," Caesar pointed out.
"Very true," Ryu remarked. "Best rest now then, I doubt those nevermores will let us be,"
Caesar chuckled.
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Meanwhile…
Mana and Sun had been traveling for a little bit of time, for the most part in silence.
"Sooooooooooo… uhm… just curious why did you choose to become a huntress?" Sun asked.
Mana sighed.
"Well if you must know I'm here with the White Fang," Mana answered. "I want to help bridge the divide between humans and faunus."
"Oh I see," Sun sighed.
"What's your problem?" Mana asked.
"It's nothing," Sun answered.
"Are you sure cause…" Mana began.
"I SAID IT'S NOTHING!" Sun interrupted.
"Alright jeez," Mana replied.
Sun took a second calmed himself down. He took a deep breath.
"Sorry it's just…" Sun began.
Suddenly the sound of explosions and gunfire filled the air.
"What the hell?" Sun exclaimed.
Both he and Mana search for where it was coming from. Mana notices flames rising up from the forest not far from them in the east.
"Over there," Mana pointed out.
Sun looked in that direction.
"Looks like Ryu's encountered some grimm." Mana observed.
"You sure that's Ryu?" Sun asked.
Mana glared at him.
"Right, well let's go to him," Sun stated.
He ran off towards where the flames were. Mana sighed and followed suit.
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Luz, Iris, Holokai, and Tala had traveled for a little ways. Luz had taken the lead as to avoid direct contact with Holokai. The group talked along the way taking the time to get to know each other. As they Traveled the sound of explosion and gunshot suddenly rang out throughout the forest.
"What hell was that!" Iris exclaimed.
"Sounds like one hell of a fire fight," Luz exclaimed.
At that moment an intense fire could be scene in the distance.
"You weren't kidding about the fire fight," Holokai remarked.
"Let's check it out," Luz stated.
"What are you crazy!" Iris exclaimed. "We should avoid that area at all costs."
"Come on Iris where's your adventurous side?" Tala inquired.
"Not there," Iris answered.
"I say we check it out," Holokai voiced. "I've been looking for a good fight since I got here."
"Not you too!" Iris exclaimed.
"I think the votes in Iris," Luz pointed out. "So let's get moving."
Luz began running towards the direction of the gunfire.
"Let's go!" Holokai shouted before following suit.
"Best not fall behind Iris," Tala stated before running in the same direction.
Iris sighed. She ran to catch up to them.
"Idiots I swear," She stated.
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Caesar and Ryu rested while they waited for the nevermores to rise and resume their assault.
"Soooo… you got a plan bud?" Ryu asked.
Caesar was still breathing heavy.
"Well…" Caesar began. "That depends on how many of those you can take down."
"One shouldn't be too hard, two's pushing it, but with three I won't be gettin' out unscaved." Ryu stated.
"Well I have enough rounds for one more volley but that still leaves two left," Caesar explained. "Not to mention your wouldn't fighting at max aura."
"That's not a problem I've recovered most of my aura," Ryu pointed out.
"What how?" Caesar asked.
"When I absorb fire I recover my aura." Ryu explained.
"I see." Caesar stated.
"RYU!" A voice called out.
Ryu and Caesar turned to see Mana running towards them.
"Hey Mana," Ryu greeted.
"Hey," Caesar stated.
"Hey Caesar," Mana greeted.
"Where's your partner or haven't you found one yet?" Ryu asked.
"Oh… he's coming," Mana stated annoyed.
Sun came running towards them. When he got to them he stopped and sat down breathing heavy.
"Dear god how fast can that girl run?" Sun asked.
"I mean she's faster than me," Ryu answered.
Sun groaned and lied down.
"Looks like you two went through a hell storm," Mana pointed out.
"Well with all the grimm that attacked us it's no surprised." Caesar stated.
"What drew them here?" Sun asked.
Ryu and Caesar looked to each other.
"Long story," Ryu answered.
"I'd rather not talk about it," Caesar lamented.
"Let's just say I pushed the wrong buttons," Ryu stated.
"Whatever," Mana stated.
"No not whatever I want to know," Sun expressed.
A screech could be heard throughout the forest.
"We'll have to save it for later," Ryu pointed out. "We've got bigger fish to fry."
"HEEEYYYYYY!" a voice called out.
The group looked to see Luz and Holokai running towards them.
"Aawwww we missed the fight," Holokai stated.
"Luz?" Caesar expressed.
"Hey Caesar, Ryu, Mana and uhmm…" Luz began.
"Sun," Sun stated.
"Sun nice to meet you I'm Luz," Luz greeted.
"Nice to meet you too and you uh…" Sun began.
"Names Holokai," Holokai stated.
Tala and Iris eventually caught up to them.
"Oh thank god we missed the fight," Iris lamented.
"And they are?" Ryu asked pointing to Iris and Tala.
"Tala," Tala answered.
"Iris," Iris answered rudely.
"Interesting crowd you got there Luz," Caesar pointed out.
"HEY!" Iris, Holokai, and Tala shouted.
"Your one to talk," Luz retorted.
Ryu shrugged off the comment.
"Hey!" Sun shouted.
"Neither of you are wrong," Mana pointed out.
A screech again rang through the forest as the three nevermores rose up out of the forest.
"We'll have to save the small talk for later," Ryu stated as he drew his sword.
"This looks like fun," Holokai stated.
"Where the hell did you get your definition of fun," Iris exclaimed.
"Quit complaining cause here they come," Mana pointed out.
Caesar readied his cannon.
"I can temporarily take out one," Caesar stated.
"We'll take one," Luz began.
"And we'll take the other," Caesar continued.
"Let's do this!" Tala exclaimed.
"It's go time," Ryu stated.
Caesar unleash his final barrage onto one of the oncoming nevermores again bring it down.
"Let's go!" Luz shout.
Luz began to charge forward. Iris put her two pistols together to form a large 50 caliber sniper rifle.
"I'll keep you covered from the ground," Iris stated.
"Got it," Luz stated.
Iris fired out a few rounds dealing minimal damage but getting the attention of one of the nevermores. Luz held out her hand and formed a hard light version of the launch pads used at the start of the initiation. She used it to launch her towards the nevermore. Tala and Holokai followed suit. Luz creates a hard light firing mechanism to accelerate her even faster. She flip in the air so her legs were pointing towards the nevermore. She deconstructed the firing mechanism on her feet and reconstructs them on her arms. She spins herself and accelerates even further creating a human bullet. She Slammed into the nevermore creating a deep wound with in its side. She pulls away from the nevermore. Tala's cartridges on her arms switch to red causing red dust to course through the contraption. Through this she extended her claws out to three times length glowing red. Upon reaching the damaged nevermore she slashed at with her claws at the spot where Luz had struck. Her strike left the grimm even further damaged at the point of the initial impact. A few shots from Iris further exasperated the damage. As Holokai approach he extended his blades out and spun himself in a vertical spiral. He formed mini typhoon around him. After landing safely on the ground Luz used her hard light to form a cage around Holokai with propellants near his head and feet to further accelerate him and guide him towards the wound that had been inflicted on the nevermore. Upon impact Holokai cleaved through the nevermore at it's injury finishing it off. Holokai fell to the ground and landed safely.
While Luz and her team launched their attack on the one nevermore Caesar, Ryu, Mana, and Sun launched their attack onto the other.
"Let's do this guys!" Caesar shouted.
"Hey!" Mana reacted.
"And girl," Caesar stated.
"Thank you," Mana stated.
She fired severely explosively charged arrows at the nevermore. Upon impact they exploded stunning it temporarily in the air. Taking advantage of the delay Caesar took hold of Ryu's arm with his left arm and Ryu took hold of Sun's arm. Sun drew his sword and readied it. Caesar sent Ryu and Sun flying towards the nevermore. Ryu created explosions at his feet to further accelerate the two. With a mighty throw Ryu sent Sun flying even faster. Upon reaching the nevermore Sun cleaved through it in a single strike. Ryu and Sun land on the ground safely.
Everyone reconvened. Congratulations and high fives went all around as the students celebrated their victory. However the celebrations were cut short as the last remaining nevermore again rose. It drew the attention of the group. The grimm made its way towards them. Mana, Ryu, and Iris stepped forward.
"We got this," Mana stated.
"You mean I got this," Ryu corrected.
"No I got this," Iris stated.
"Ahh no girly I've got this," Ryu replied.
"Sorry boy but I got this," Iris replied.
"Let's just finish this," Mana ordered.
"Whatever," Ryu and Iris replied.
Mana drew a pure white arrow. She notched it and readied her bow to fire. Ryu brought his right fist back ready to unleash his attack. Iris transformed her weapon yet again this time into a cannon. She charged up her attack. All three launched their attacks at the same time.
"Crimson Dragon's Rage!" Ryu shouted as he launched his attack.
Mana's attack erupted into a streak of light as it flew. The three attacks found their mark and obliterated the Nevermore. The group again resumed their celebration. After they all calmed down they decided to travel to the temple together and set out.
The group traveled through the forest with little trouble. Caesar and Luz had taken the lead and were chatting along the way. Everyone else had trailed behind and listened to Ryu and Mana tell stories of their time in the war. They continue their way through the forest until the neared the temple.
"Their that's the temple," Caesar pointed out.
"Finally," Luz exclaimed.
"About damn time," Ryu stated.
The group made their way towards the temple and inspected the artifacts.
"These are artifacts?" Mana inquired.
"Guess so," Holokai answered.
"Let's just grab them and get out of here," Iris stated.
"Right, right," Tala replied.
Caesar, Ryu, Mana, and Sun grabbed the white knight pieces while Luz, Iris, Holokai, and Tala grabbed the white rook pieces.
"Alright we got the artifacts now let's get going," Caesar stated.
"Right," Luz affirmed.
"Glad this is finally over," Iris complained.
"Wish I got to get some more fighting in," Holokai stated.
"I'm just happy I made some friends already," Mana stated.
"Wait I'm your friend?" Sun question.
"Sort of," Mana answered.
"And… Me?" Caesar asked.
"Well yeah why wouldn't I be?" Mana asked.
"Yeah… yeah… good… good point," Caesar stated.
"What's wrong?" Luz asked.
"Nothing just need to let it be," Caesar answered.
Everyone began to leave but Ryu stayed behind looking out.
"Hey Ryu hurry up!" Tala called out.
Ryu remained still. This feeling… what is it? He thought to himself.
"Hey Ryu!" Sun shouted "Let's get going!"
"Ryu?" Mana pondered. "What's wrong?"
"Something doesn't feel right," he stated. "The air feels… odd."
"Quite talking about the weather and get moving!" Tala shouted.
"Mana can you do a scan of the area?" Ryu asked. "Just to be safe."
"Ah… sure," Mana replied.
Mana activated her semblance and scanned the area. She picked up nothing.
"I don't sense anything." Mana stated.
"See nothing to worry about," Luz stated.
Ryu still stayed in place. 'No… something's definitely off I can feel it'. Ryu stood still for a few seconds facing the temple's only standing wall. He then had an epiphany and turned quickly to his right his eyes wide with surprise. Everyone turned and follow suit to see a pale skinned girl a bit younger than them standing there. She wore a long sleeved white shirt. Over top of this she wore what appeared to be a black strapless dress with white frills at the bottom. Around her stomach was a black and white corset with black laces. She wore black boots and had what appeared to be long black hair. Her face however was covered by a white hood. She held a large scythe in her right hand.
"Who's she?" Luz inquired.
Mana took a few steps back her eyes widened with fear.
"No…" She began. "Not her."
Caesar walked forward.
"Excuse me but who are you" Caesar asked.
"No Caesar stand back!" Ryu shouted.
"Huh?" Caesar inquired.
Suddenly everyone felt weak as if their strength was being drained from them. The girl charged forward knocking Caesar out of the way allowing him to catch a glimpse of the girls face. His eyes widened in surprised. The girl continued on her path straight towards Mana.